After 15 years of elusiveness, 2009 has proved to be the year in which Will Oldham - currently trading as Bonnie "Prince" Billy - has allowed himself to be pinned down. A songwriter with a background in acting, (he made his feature film debut as a teenager), Oldham has also enjoyed the freedom of aliases in his music. His new album Beware, though an approachable country rock collection, marks no specific departure in this regard, but he's allowed several peeks behind his mask. A fun profile in the New Yorker served as both of an indication of his grown status and a glimpse of life in his native Louisville, Kentucky. Meanwhile, he's been more up for promotional work than ever. Some suggest that he's convinced he'll sell not one more record by playing the game, and wants to prove a point. Whatever the motivation, to catch him live remains a pleasure.